96018 - GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION

Academic Year 2026/2027

  • Moduli: Silvia Castellaro (Modulo 1) Silvia Castellaro (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Geology for Sustainable Development (cod. 6793)

    Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Environmental Engineering (cod. 6722)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - knows the basic principles of the main geophysical exploration techniques (seismic, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic and gravimetric methods); - the application fields and limitations of each technique in respect to different environmental, geotechnical, subsoil exploitation and protection problems, at small and large scale.

Course contents

1. Signal theory

2. Elastic theory and seismic waves

3. Seismic refraction

4. Seismic reflection. In-hole techniques

5. Surface wave methods (H/V)

6. Surface wave methods (dispersion curves)

7. Electrical method

8. Gravity method

9. Magnetic and electromagnetic methods

10. Seismic hazard. Engineering seismology

11. Exercises


Each exploration method will be introduced by means of laboratory experiments and field surveys.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested readings:

THE SOLID EARTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL GEOPHYSICS, C.M.R. Fowler, Cambridge University Press (2004, 2nd edition)

INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, Burger, Sheehan, Jones, Norton, 2006, 600 p. + CD

NEAR SURFACE APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, M.E. Everett, Cambridge, 2013, 400 p.

AN INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION, Kearey, Brooks, Hill, Blackwell Publ., 2002, 262 p.

I METODI GEOELETTRICO E SISMICO PER LE INDAGINI SUPERFICIALI DEL SOTTOSUOLO, Carrara, Rapolla, Roberti, Liguori ed., 2012, 295 p.

ESPLORAZIONE GEOFISICA DEL SOTTOSUOLO, Musset, Aftab Khan, Zanichelli, 2003, 420 p.

Teaching methods

Lessons, laboratory experiments and field surveys.

All lessons will be recorded and made available to students attending the classes.

Laboratory and field surveys require the student to be physically present.

Assessment methods

The final exam is both written (3 exercises) and oral.

The student delivers one compulsory individual report on the main geophysical exploration methods assigned by the tutor.

Teaching tools

ll lessons will be recorded and made available online only to students attending the classes.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Castellaro